When a carpet cleaner comes into your home, typically he will apply a pre-spray which is a detergent to loosen soil away from the fiber so that it can be removed with hot water. The pre-sprays that are used in residential carpet cleaning are alkaline in terms of their ph. The reason for an alkaline pre-spray is counter soil which is acidic in nature. While this pre-spray is effective in the removal of soil. It can be left on the carpet after cleaning.

This pre-spray that is left on the carpeting poses on of two problems. The first is that it leaves a residue. This residue or left over soap attracts soil to it and therefor your carpets re-soil more quickly. The other problem that this alkaline residue poses is that when it dries it leaves the carpets feeling stiff instead of soft. Carpet in it’s natural soft state has a ph 7. If a rinse is not used the ph will remain alkaline above 8 leaving it feeling bristly. When a rinse is used it counters the alkalinity of the carpeting leaving it at the same ph. of 7 feeling comfortable.

Ask your cleaner if he is using a fiber rinse. Using a rinse will leave your carpet cleaner, longer and leave if feeling softer and more comfortable. A professional cleaner will always use a rinse.

Master Certified Textile Cleaner

Chris Wharry

Enviro-Green Carpet Cleaning

]]>3790Bait and Switch Carpet Cleanershttp://enviro-greencarpet.com/bait-and-switch-carpet-cleaners/
Tue, 06 Dec 2016 14:21:57 +0000http://enviro-greencarpet.com/?p=3786We have all seen the carpet cleaning coupons of companies that are offering to clean a room for $ 7.95 per room. Sounds like an exceptional deal right? Well that deal can turn into a much much more exspensive clean than you ever anticipated.

We have all heard the saying “You get what you pay for”. Well in this case of these carpet cleaners what you get is an opportunity for these guys to get into your home where the selling pressure begins. These types of cleaners are not concerned with the outcome for you, as much as they are concerned with the outcome for themselves. With unqualified technicians these individuals are more likely to cause damage to your carpet and home, leaving you wishing that you had never opened the door.

Getting through the door with such low pricing is only the first step in emptying your pocketbook. These carpet cleaners will often do a demonstration of what clean carpet with cleaning solution looks like vs. just plain water. This is where the upsell begins, the cleaning solution itself is going to cost you $.25 cents a square foot just to get the carpets cleaned. These individuals will probably have a portable carpet cleaner that has poor performance. If your lucky these individuals will have a truck mount, but wait that truck mount is going to cost you as well. The cost of course an additional charge. The next sell is usually either a sanitizer for $.25 cents per square foot and/or a deodorizer for another additional $.25. They will also want to sell you Scotchgard which is also an additional $.25 cents a square foot. Were already up to $1.00 a square foot. Can you imagine a 1000 square feet of carpeting costing you $1000.00 well believe me, it’s true and you’ll get the bill after the work is done. A reputable carpet cleaner will always discuss options to clean and their pricing upfront so that you know what your paying. before the work begins.

These unqualified carpet cleaners are motivated by one thing and one thing only, money! The commissions on these sales is up to 25% on the upsells, so you better believe your going to get high pressure sales. No one wants to invite that into their home. Refuse the upsells and these people are gone quicker than you can say “that’s not clean”

Unfortunately these companies exist to prey on you the consumer looking for a deal. To make sure that the company you are dealing with has legitimate carpet cleaners ask if they are certified and if there pricing is upfront. No company is going to be profitable at $7.95 a room. legitimate carpet cleaners will always discuss their pricing upfront which includes the cleaning solution and allow you to decide on other services without a high pressure sales pitch. Typically a local carpet cleaner in the Orland Park, IL area will charge from between $.30 to $.40 cents per square foot, anything less than that and they are cutting corners in the cleaning process.

View this footage on you-tube about how bait and switch carpet cleaners operate,

]]>3786coffee Stain Removalhttp://enviro-greencarpet.com/coffee-stain-removal/
Thu, 27 Oct 2016 15:38:18 +0000http://enviro-greencarpet.com/?p=3782Coffee spills if not cleaned up immediately can result in permanent staining of your carpeting.

When coffe is spilled onto a fiber your dealing with 4 components;
1) Heat – When coffe is spilled can be upwards of 200 degrees essentially openimg dye receptor sites to recieving the coffee coloring or colorant called tanin.
2) The tanin as explained above, which gives coffee it’s color.
3) sugars that may have been added to the coffee that dry into the fiber after moisture evaporation.
4) Creams or milk products that may have been added to the coffee prior to the spill. These can seep beneath the backing and sour.

The sugars and milk products are easily removed by prespraying the carpet cleaning solution and extracting.

The problem left is the fiber becoming permanently stained because the heat has opened dye receptor sites and tanin has entered the fiber. At Enviro-Green Carpet Cleaning we have the knowledge and know how to remove stubborn coffee stains that would otherwise permanently remain.

]]>3782Yikes!! My Cotton Sofa turned Yellow!http://enviro-greencarpet.com/yikes-my-cotton-sofa-turned-yellow/
Mon, 05 Sep 2016 14:38:17 +0000http://enviro-greencarpet.com/?p=3752I can’t tell you how many times that I have been called out to clean a cotton sofa, only to find out that another cleaner had permanently damaged it. If you have ever left a sweaty or damp cotton t-shirt in the corner for a few days in the laundry room you know what happens. The shirt yellows. This is not attributable to sweat. It occurs because of what happens when water is applied to cotton.

Cotton contains a protein that is inside of the fiber called lingen. This protein when exposed to moisture yellows the cotton fiber surrounding it. Most frequently this occurs when it is cleaned with water, left wet and not dried.

As an IICRC Master Certified Textile Cleaner, I have the knowledge and experience to clean you cotton sofa using a dry cleaning method so that your prized sofa does not become a victim of permanent browning and water marks.

Preventative Maintenance: Preventing soil from spreading to your carpeting can be maintained with a walk off mat or door matt. shoe removal is also key to longevity. Soil grates against carpet fibers causing premature wear and shortens the life of your carpeting. One of the most expensive replacement items in your home is not your furniture, it’s your carpeting.

Keep Door Way Entrances Clean: Sweeping your door step and walk-way clean will prevent soil from being transferred into your home

Vacuuming: Regular vacuuming once a week removes soil and ambient dust from settling on your carpeting and being ground into the fibers. Soil is not often visually seen until your carpeting is fully saturated with soil. The soil initially settles to the backing of the carpeting and accumulation builds from this point. Using a vacuum with a beater bar weekly will remove surface soil more effectively. Hot Water Extraction or Steam Cleaning yearly will provide the deep cleaning necessary to prevent wear and thereby extending the life of your carpeting.

]]>3722Getting Rid of Smoke Odorshttp://enviro-greencarpet.com/getting-rid-of-smoke-odors/
Sun, 07 Feb 2016 22:53:24 +0000http://enviro-greencarpet.com/?p=3707Does you apartment or new home smell like smoke? Well we at Enviro-Green Carpet Cleaning can help. Having been trained by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration in Odor Control, we are familiar with proper methodology the removing smoke odors.

You’ll be amazed by our smoke odor removal results. We just don’t mask odors with deodorizers. We attack the odor on a molecular level, leaving no odors to return. We utilize an environmentally safe treatment that neutralizes the odor permanently on a molecular level. This treatment not only eliminates smoke odors, but curry as well.

At Enviro-Green Carpet Cleaning we are skilled and trained to remove smoke odors from your home, business or apartment. Call us today for a free consultation. (708) 465-4852

]]>3707Proper Treatment of Pet Odors.http://enviro-greencarpet.com/proper-treatment-of-pet-odors/
Mon, 07 Sep 2015 12:51:07 +0000http://enviro-greencarpet.com/?p=3675The National Pet Owners Survey (NPOS) recent 375 page report shows that pet ownership is currently at the highest level in US history with over 63 percent of U.S. households owning a pet. While we love our pets and consider them members of the family, pet odors frequently accompany mans best friend.

Proper treatment of Pet Odors is essential in restoring the healthy environment that both our families and pets desire. Whether it is dog urine, vomit, feces or overall pet odor, Enviro-Green Carpet Cleaning utilizes effective and safe treatments to eliminate these odors.

Many companies, that our customers have used in the past simply apply a deodorizer to eliminate these odors. This may temporarily eliminate the odor but does not treat the underlying cause of the odor. This superficial approach only leaves the homeowner disappointed 2-3 days later when the doederizer has worn off and they are left with the same persistant odors and minus their hard earned money.

When a pet urinates the pet urine comes out as uric acid and ammonia. As moisture from the urine evaporates it forms alkaline salts that bind to the carpeting. When moisture is reintroduced via humidity it reactivates that alkaline salt and the odor persists once again. At Enviro-Green Carpet Cleaning we utilize products which can release the alkaline salts and also effectively treat the urine, feces or vomit which has settled onto the backing of the carpeting and pad.

Enviro-Green Carpet Cleaning will restore the love between you and your pet by making your home a healthy and pleasant environment for both you and your pet to reside.

]]>3675Relative Humidity and how it can affect your carpethttp://enviro-greencarpet.com/relative-humidity-and-how-it-can-affect-your-carpet/
Sat, 27 Jun 2015 23:49:19 +0000http://enviro-greencarpet.com/?p=3667Wben one thinks of humidity the first thing that comes to mind is our damp spring and humid summers. Humidity can also affect your carpeting in a number of ways.

1) When you purchase new carpeting, it should be allowed to sit in your home under normal conditions for atleast 24 hrs. This allows the carpeting to adjust to the temperature in the room and also to acclimatize to the moisture level in the home. Putting carpet that has not been allowed to acclimatize will result in the backing of the carpet expanding once acclimitized and rolls forming on your new carpeting.

2) When you are having your carpeting cleaned a roll or two may form, no need to worry the carpet will return to the original flat condition when the carpet is dry. This is much like a t-shirt that is just out of the wash. The fabric is stretched buy once in the dryer it returns back to it’s original condition. This frequently occurs on high end carpeting that has has a cotton backing or jute backing.

3) Humidity afffects dry times when you have your carpeting cleaned. Though it may seem like a good idea to open your window to air out your home when having your carpets cleaned, it introduces high humidity into the home. Outside humidity can be 70-100% depending on the weather. Simply closing your windows and turning on the air-conditioning reduces the humidity to 35-40%. The decrease in the humidity allows evaporation to occur much quicker The air-conditioner is removing the moisture in the air, resulting in dryer carpets quicker.

We hope that this information was helpful

We believe in educating our customers as well as ourselves. I am a master certified textile cleaner through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. This is the only exam and onsite accrediting organization in the country. We are glad to bring you our experience and knowledge to do the job correctly

Thank you,

Chris Wharry

Enviro-Green Carpet Cleaaning

(708) 465-4852

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]]>3667Why Rapid Carpet Re-soiling?http://enviro-greencarpet.com/rapid-carpet-re-soiling/
Mon, 20 Apr 2015 18:21:16 +0000http://enviro-greencarpet.com/?p=3651I have heard many clients ask why their carpets re-soiled so quickly after their last cleaning by another company. The real answer lies in the details of their cleaning. It is so easy to lump all cleaners together and ask the only question that you would think should matter “How much?’ In order to answer this question many cleaners in the area have taken to eliminating important steps to come in at cheaper prices. These cleaners have developed that mentality that “Whatever they don’t know, won’t hurt them.”

One of the most important factors in eliminating re-soiling is to apply the pre-spray (cleaning solution) prior to cleaning. Pre-spraying the cleaning solution onto your carpeting and allowing it to sit on the carpeting for 10-15 minutes allows the cleaning solution to loosen the soil off of the carpet fiber. This is much like soaking your dishes prior to scrubbing them.

Many cleaners eliminate this step and just add their cleaning solution to the rinse that comes out of the wand. The problem with this scenario is that they are rinsing your carpeting with soap. Properly cleaned carpeting should rinse your carpeting with water, rinsing the cleaning solution and dirt out of the firber. Not rinsing with water leaves a residue on the carpet fiber. That residue leaves a sticky film on the fiber which normally would be vacuumed away but in this case sticks to the carpet fiber.

With our competitor the space between the jets spray the cleaning solution and where it is vacuumed up in the wand is just 1 inch. How clean can carpet get when there is fractions of a second between where the cleaning solution is put down to when it is removed? Our pre-spray which we apply at 220 degrees sits on the carpeting for 10 min prior to being removed with a fresh water rinse. This is the proper method to clean carpeting

At Enviro-Green Carpet Cleaning, we take the proper steps to ensure that your carpeting is cleaned the way that it should be. The proper methods of cleaning your carpeting will lend you to a much longer clean and satisfaction that you have made the right choice in your cleaner.

The best part of all is that it is just a normal part of our cleaning process and costs no more than our competitors. We offer reasonable pricing with exceptional service where quality never leaves the jobs we perform.

When servicing areas from New Lenox to Frankfort you can be assured quality cleaning of your upholstery or carpeting. After all who in the area offers a 100% Money Back Satisfaction Guarantee? We do, because we believe in what we do and back up our promise to you.

Carpets fibers are a fabric that must be cared for as it were the clothing that we wear each and every day. If not properly cared for your carpeting can fade and lose it’s coloring. The following are a few things you can do to prevent the early death of your carpeting

1) Exposing your carpeting to long periods of sunlight can fade areas of the carpeting causing it to look discolored in contrast to areas that don’t experience the same degree of exposure. We suggest closing blinds or curtains when not at home during daylight hours.

2) Not vacuuming is one of the biggest factors that causes early wear on your carpeting. Weekly vacuuming removes dirt and particles that we can not see that grate against the carpet fiber causing it to look 0ld and worn.

3) Oils and Lotions that we put on our hands and feet can stain and discolor your carpeting. Many of these products contain bleaches or coloring that will stain the carpeting or permanently remove the coloring. Wearing socks protects the carpet fibers from these products and keeps your carpeting from looking soiled and matted.

4) Cleaning up pet accidents immediately is imperative as urine contains ammonia which can bleach or discolor the carpeting. diluting the urine with vinegar to water 1:3 blotting and placing a cotton towel over the area will help remove the urine from the fibers. Whether you live in Homer Glen or Fankfort we can serve your needs with pet odors and stains.

Call Enviro-Green Carpet Cleaning at (708) 465-4852. We carry the right products and tools to effectively deal with these situations. Applying over the counter products can permanently set stains and bleach carpeting. As a journeyman textile cleaner we can assure you that you are receiving the best care that is possible in treating these issues.